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Symbolism to enhance the theme of the kite runner
An analysis of symbolism in The Kite Runner
An analysis of symbolism in The Kite Runner
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Recommended: Symbolism to enhance the theme of the kite runner
“The eyes are the mirror of the soul” is an old proverb that possesses a mystifying truth. Often times one can look into another person’s eyes and determine if a person is content or angry, inquisitive or confused, or even reputable or malevolent. A few people, however, can look into a mirror, or even at others, and see someone other than the true person standing in front of him. Salim, a character from the movie Slumdog Millionaire is portrayed as one of the “bad guys,” and rightfully so because of his actions towards his brother, Jamal, and others. Similarly to Salim, Amir, a character from the book The Kite Runner, also betrays his brother multiple times when he is in need of guidance. Most could conclude that both Salim and Amir’s compassion towards others is nonexistent, but if one were to truly evaluate both of their standpoints he might discover a surprising glimpse of redemption. At first glance into Salim’s eyes, it may appear that he is all-together a morally corrupt character because he betrays brotherhood, but upon further analysis, he validates his morality by performing the ultimate sacrifice for redemption.
In order to remove one’s façade and become the person he truly sees himself as, one must sacrifice his own desires and aim for salvation. While the road to accomplish this may be rocky, and hasty decisions may cause ruckus, the end product will be worth the troubles. Salim suffers from many of his decisions, but the only person to blame is himself. His rash decisions are the decoration of his façade, and behind all the decorations reveal the main component of his cover-up, his hunger for power. Beyond the first glance, and into the journey to his soul, one can be torn away from his deceitful desires, and into...
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...“The eyes are the mirror of the soul” is mystifying because sometimes it may not be true. At some point, one may be unable to determine a person’s fate because the mirror is broken; sometimes, the mirror is incapable of reflecting a person’s soul, but instead reveals a person’s façade. However, at the end of the movie, Salim is able to gain who he truly is because he receives salvation. Even though his past earns him a title as a “bad guy,” he is able to eradicate his title as a “bad guy” and become a man commendable of being called a brother. Just as Jamal is destined to receive Latika, it is written for Salim to gain full redemption.
Works Cited
Hosseini, Khaled. The Kite Runner. New York: Riverhead Books, 2005. Print.
Slumdog Millionaire. Dir. Danny Boyle. Perf. Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Sanurabh Shukla, and Madhur Mittal. Twentieth Century Fox, 2009. DVD.
The only thing that separates humans from the savagery of mere animals is our ability to distinguish right from wrong. Throughout thousands of years of evolution and our own constant road towards an unstable future, humans have long grappled with morals and ethics. It is up to the individual to determine what they believe to hold true in situations that test their values. Literature shows us scenarios to interpret without the risk of real experiences - literature tests our ideas of what it means to be “a good person”. Critic Roland Barthes describes literature as “the question minus the answer”. In the novel The Kite Runner by Hoseinni, we see through the eyes of an Afghan boy named Amir as he continuously makes selfish decisions fueled by
Everyone has the tendency to think or act immaturely when something does not happen the way they wanted it to. How people behave and develop in such situations can uncover hidden sides and the true inner self of their character. The changes that occur to them through conflict can depict how mature they really are. Nazneen Sadiq’s story “Shonar Arches” shows the impact on a character’s maturity as a result of the main conflict. The happy resolution of Amit’s conflict shows how through time, even a rude little boy can mature into becoming a gentleman.
Critics have already begun a heated debate over the success of the book that has addressed both its strengths and weaknesses. The debate may rage for a few years but it will eventually fizzle out as the success of the novel sustains. The characters, plot, emotional appeal, and easily relatable situations are too strong for this book to crumble. The internal characteristics have provided a strong base to withstand the petty attacks on underdeveloped metaphors and transparent descriptions. The novel does not need confrontations with the Middle East to remain a staple in modern reading, it can hold its own based on its life lessons that anyone can use.
Baba teaches Amir the ways to become a virtuous man, however Amir is not as courageous as his father and it is difficult for Amir to demonstrate his teachings. Baba teaches Amir how to be a strong good man, but Amir does not seem to grasp these values as much as he may want to. Thusly, Amir constantly seeks his father’s approval, yet he does not follow the one thing his father has taught him, being a decent man. This does not just include knowing the difference between right and wrong, it is being strong enough to stand up for what is just. Courage and bravery are two characteristics Amir needs to gain acceptance not only from his father but also from himself. Amir overhears his father talking to Rahim Khan about him and Hassan. He hears his father say, “A boy who won’t stand up for himself becomes a man who can’t stand up for anything,” (Hosseini 22). This saddens Amir, because he re...
Redemption is gaining honor and self-forgiveness through a selfless act that reflects off of one’s regretful actions of their past. In the novel, The Kite Runner, Amir is the main character who goes through many life struggles and mistakes, then finds himself on a road to redemption. Amir and Hassan were best friends throughout their childhood and Hassan was the honorable, trusting best friend, the one to always take a stand for what he believed was right. Amir’s lack of courage caused him to stay silent in the worst of times, letting Hassan get tortured for the things he did not deserve. The themes of sacrifice, honor and redemption are carried out in many ways throughout this novel being shown through the actions of Hassan, Baba, and Amir.
This is what I want you to understand, that good, real good, was born out of your father’s remorse. Sometimes, I think everything he did, feeding the poor on the streets, building the orphanage, giving money to friends in need; it was all his way of redeeming himself. And that, I believe, is what true redemption is, Amir jan, when
Mulan. Dir. Tony Bancroft. Perf. Ming-Na Wen, Eddie Murphy, and Bradley Darryl Wong. Walt Disney, 1998. Film.
Everyone’s pathway to redemption is varied and based on their own courses of action. In the novel, The Kite Runner, By Khaled Hosseini, Baba and Amir commit sins and spend their lives making up for their wrongful doings; however, they take different paths to receive their forgiveness. Like Baba and Amir, people all possess their own method to find absolution. Although everyone has a personal devil sitting on their shoulder, providing immoral input, there is an angel sitting opposite, serving as a guide on the path to redemption.
Several parallels are drawn between the central character and Mustafa Sa'eed. Both speak English and had studied in London. Even though the central character had grown up in the village, his education and time abroad had made him as much an outsider as Sa'eed. Upon seeing his own reflection in the darkness, he believes it to be Mustafa, who he had grown to despise. As he moves closer to the object of his hatred, he discovers that he is "standing face to face with" himself. Mustafa represents to him all that he despises in himself.
Lastly Khaled Hosseini looks at a Afghan family and how its each family members commitment and strong bond is what is essential in ones future/identity. In the novel it was evident that Pari’s relationship with her family, mainly her brother, Abdullah was Pari’s source of unconditional love and it was that very thing that kept Pari connected to her roots which is the very thing that shaped her future/identity. Pari’s uncle was the very reason why Pari was sold in the novel and the cause of Abdullah being stripped from his only family. In the novel the separation of Pari and Abdullah caused sever pain as Abdullah was not just a brother rather he played the mother and father figure for Pari. In the novel the author, Khaled Hosseini uses many
Sins are mistakes made in moments of weakness; everybody has weakness, thus everybody commits sins. These mistakes gone uncorrected leave guilt and regret, but because the nature of guilt is a feeling of responsibility for an action, it reflects the good in someone because at a subconscious level, they long for some form of redemption. The length at which two characters in The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini, go to redeem themselves doesn’t necessarily show their “goodness”, but the level of guilt they experienced because of their sins. We find out that that the father, Baba, had an illegitimate son with his best friend’s wife, a Hazara woman, which in turn forced him to cover up his and Hassan’s relationship, not to mention his neglectful treatment of his legitimate son Amir due to their vast personal differences. Amir himself was cowardly when it came to defending his half-brother Hassan, his sins worsened when he sold Hassan out in order to bury his own guilt. While each character is good, Baba sacrificed more than Amir in order to redeem himself; though he was forced to cover up his relationship to Hassan, he did the best he could to give him and Amir a better life, and give back to his community.
Humans can easily make mistakes after all it’s what people do. Thus people make huge mistakes that they will regret for most of their life. Some do nothing about it and feel empty and hopeless about their life and choices. Others choose to do something about it and seek the redemption they need in order to feel better of themselves. Author’s are very capable of putting these ideals into the characters to make them feel relatable. In the novel The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini uses what happens when man needs redemption by using Amir’s betrayal, which leads him to a guilty conscious causing him to seek absolution.
Kamran was the star of the football team and dated the most popular girl in school. He was also excited to enlist in the army just like his big brother, Darius. He had always wanted to be just like his brother brave and courageous .He had also always tried to be the best he could be at everything, even sports. Although Kamran’s mom was from Iran he had always felt 100% American.
In his short story, “The Prophet’s Hair,” Salman Rushdie make use of magic realism, symbolization and situational irony to comment on class, religion, and the fragility of human life. The story is brimming with ironic outcomes that add to the lighthearted and slightly fantastic tone. Rushdie’s use of the genre magic realism capitalizes on the absurdity of each situation but makes the events relevant to readers’ lives. In addition, the irony in the story serves as a way to further deepen Rushdie’s commentary on class and religion. Finally, his use of symbolization focuses on the concept of glass, and just how easily it can be broken.
The Pianist. Dir. Roman Polanski. Perf. Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Emilia Fox. 2001. DVD. Universal Studios, 2003.